If you’re worried about your bad credit, you’ll want to do everything in your power to improve your rating as quickly as possible – especially if you have a major purchase coming up. Improving your credit rating can give you access to better interest rates on mortgages or even help you to get that job you’re after.
IMPORTANT! If you are currently involved in a home loan transaction, speak with your trusted real estate advisor before taking any action regarding your credit!
So how can you boost your FICO score quickly and easily? Here’s what you need to know.
Get Your Credit Report And Dispute Any Errors
Credit reporting agencies don’t always keep 100% perfect records, and there’s a good chance that your credit report contains at least one error. One recent FTC study found that 25% of consumers have an error on their credit report, and that in 5% of cases, the errors were actually severe enough to impact the loan terms that borrowers were able to negotiate.
You can get your annual credit report from all three credit reporting agencies for free. Carefully read over it. If you see any errors – if your name is misspelled, if they have the wrong address on file, or if there are late or unpaid charges that you didn’t make – you can dispute the items in question.
Still Overdue? Negotiate Payment Terms With Your Creditors
If you’re overdue on a payment, it will weigh heavily on your credit score. As your payment history makes up a full 35% of your FICO score, this is one area where you’ll want to invest a great deal of time and effort.
Contact any creditors you owe money to and ask if you can negotiate your bill. The ideal outcome for you is to have the creditor report your debt as paid in full, so see if you can secure that promise in writing in exchange for an accelerated payment schedule.
Try Maintaining A Lower Utilization Ratio
Your utilization ratio refers to the amount of credit you use at any given time. If this number goes beyond 30 percent, you’ll start to see your credit score drop. Ideally, you should aim for a utilization ratio below 10 percent – this will prove to your lender that you can responsibly pay for the credit you use.
Have Recurring Bills? Automate Your Payments
Automating your monthly payments can be a great way to boost your credit score. Whether it’s your mortgage, your credit card, or your student loan, a pre-authorized monthly payment will ensure that everything gets paid on time and give you a great credit history.
Your FICO score is a number that will determine your eligibility for mortgages and other loans. These are general tips to help with your credit score and improve the overall reporting of your credit.
6850 N 39th Place Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
$9,000,000
4
Beds
4.5
Baths
6,965
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6638873
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
EPIC City Lights, Camelback Mountain VIEWS inside the Guard Gated community of Paradise Reserves. Just under 2.2 hillside acres, seamlessly crafted between newly built custom homes. Discover every luxury upgrade one can imagine; intricate tilework, cascading stone waterfall, 25-ft great room, custom glass underlit bar, effortlessly merge its outdoor spaces, and infinity-edge pool with your interiors. The chef's kitchen, with a geo-lux quartz island, complements the entertaining lifestyle. The elegant primary suite, custom closets, private balconies, theater and gym contribute to refined living. Inside this guard-gated Paradise Valley community minutes from premier shopping and dining, between Lincoln and HWY 51, this residence offers unparalleled privacy, elegance and security. See its motion video, features and benefits up close.
42486 N 109th Place Scottsdale, AZ 85262
$9,000,000
5
Beds
10
Baths
12,825
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6671996
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
FIRST TIME ON THE MARKET! Step into one of the loftiest residences in North Scottsdale! This European Style Estate, envisioned by renowned architect Bing Hu and brought to life by Shiloh Homes, nestles into a private hillside with the National Forest as its expansive backyard. Experience the epitome of privacy and serene living on over 2 acres, crafted with steel and concrete, tucked away in the secluded village of Sunset Canyon. Marvel at the extraordinary, rare views that span from sunrise to sunset, capturing city lights and everything in between! The residence boasts a primary bedroom, three ensuite bedrooms with a private sitting area and bar, two offices, a home theater, two wine cellars, ten bathrooms, and a guest house with a separate entry. FULL GOLF MEMBERSHIP AVAILABLE. Welcome to a haven of luxury, views, and unparalleled craftsmanship! Custom finishes abound, including vaulted and beamed ceilings, seven fire places, and two charming fire pits. Step into an exquisite culinary dream kitchen with dual islands, three farm sinks, three dishwashers, and a spacious butler's pantry. The home also features both a staircase and a stunning elevator, providing access to every level of the house!
4490 E Valley Vista Lane Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
$9,000,000
5
Beds
7
Baths
8,096
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6698732
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Welcome to Serenissima! This stunning mountainside estate has been beautifully remodeled in 2022/2023. Incredible views you will fall in love with. The main level boasts a gourmet chef's kitchen with new appliances, state of the art security system, climate controlled wine closet, observatory, library, yoga studio, formal living room & formal dining room, owner's suite and office and more. The lower level contains a full theatre completed with a new bar area and a concession stand! 2 spare bedrooms and a dream entertainment space. Outdoor you will find an elegant pool & spa, multiple seating ares, built-in BBQ. Sit back and enjoy the views. This estate is a must see in person. This is Serenissima!
5517 N 68th Place Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
$9,000,000
5
Beds
6
Baths
7,457
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6705455
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Welcome to your dream home nestled in the heart of Paradise Valley. Presenting this exquisite newly constructed luxury residence that epitomizes modern elegance and sophistication, set on over an acre of private, gated land. As you step into this 6,148 square foot home, you are greeted by high ceilings and a spacious, open floor plan that creates a seamless flow from room to room. The heart of the home is the gourmet kitchen featuring top-of-the-line appliances, a walk-in pantry, climate-controlled wine room, a generous center island, and ample storage solutions. Open to the living room, this kitchen is perfectly set up for entertaining and everyday living. The expansive master suite is thoughtfully designed to be a private retreat, featuring a fireplace with seating area, dual vanities, a soaking tub, a spacious walk-in shower, and an abundance of walk-in closet space. Each additional bedroom enjoys the luxury of private ensuites, ensuring comfort and privacy for family and guests alike. The home's open floor plan seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living spaces. Large wall-to-wall sliders open up to extend the living area to a beautifully landscaped backyard, featuring a sparkling pool and spa, putting green, large extended patio, and mature ficus trees that enhance the property's privacy. Adjacent to the main house, a fully appointed guest house includes a full kitchen, living area, and a bedroom with a bathroom, offering comfortable accommodation for guests or potential use as an office or studio. Located in a community known for its high quality of life and exceptional amenities, this home is close to a variety of local attractions, including upscale dining, shopping, and cultural experiences. Enjoy the perfect balance of serene living and access to vibrant lifestyle options. Let this house be more than just your home; let it be a sanctuary where every day feels like a retreat.
38824 N Charles Blair Macdonald Road Scottsdale, AZ 85262
$8,999,000
5
Beds
6.5
Baths
8,000
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6506635
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Plans underway for this spectacular home designed by Kontexture and to be built by Silvercreek Development. Situated on a ridgetop lot in North Scottsdale guard gated community of Carefree Ranch Estates, this 8,000 square foot home features the latest and greatest in modern desert living with an emphasis on biophilic design. 5 bedrooms including guest house, plus office, and private master bedroom lounge. Spa like dual master bath with free standing tub, oversized shower with views of Desert Mountain Golf course and Pinnacle Peakand dual walk-in closets. HUGE great room with chef's kitchen, butler's pantry, top of line appliances, all spilling to the outdoors via walls of glass for indoor and outdoor entertaining needs. The outdoors includes 2,000+SF elevated terrace with outdoor kitchen, dining and living spaces, along with a zero and negative edge pool, spa, fire features for your outdoor entertaining needs. Elevated 4.36 acre site towering over the valley of the sun! Absolute privacy from this lofty perch overlooking tremendous city light, blazing sunsets, Desert Mountain Golf course views and surrounding mountain views of Black Mountain, Pinnacle Peak, Four Peaks and Camelback Mountain and the entire valley floor. Rough graded driveway in place. Highly-desired southernorientation provides maximum winter sun exposure on patio and pool areas. Private and tranquil for hiking and biking, yet quick access into Scottsdale, Carefree, Cave Creek for shopping, dining and golfing! Minutes from Skyranch private airport with available hanger space. Please inquire for more information or to review the plans on this spectacular estate home! Renderings are conceptual and square footage is estimated. Some finishes/features may change based on availability or buyer's preferences. Builder is happy to meet with buyers to discuss specific finish selections to meet individual needs.
4975 E Mcdonald Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
$8,995,000
4
Beds
6
Baths
6,730
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6310072
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Nestled at the base of Camelback Mountain, the Echo Canyon Residence is situated on an acre of pristine hillside property with views across Paradise Valley, Mummy Mountain, and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. It is a Design/Build by award-winning architects The Construction Zone, ltd. Gated access to a private drive lead to the home and up to a 3-car garage and guest parking. This home is currently in the permitting process and will start construction early 2023. The 5970sf residence is organized around a secluded courtyard featuring a pool, built-in spa, and outdoor living spaces, perfect for entertaining. The main house great room connects the courtyard to a balcony overlooking the city, with custom steel and glass floor-to-ceiling windows and oversized sliding doors on both sides. The main wing of the house also includes the primary suite, a second full bedroom suite, private office, butler's pantry and an elevator. The south wing contains a large fitness room and bath, a game room with bar and seating, and a full guest house with a private entry. This house is to be exquisitely crafted throughout and with custom steel detailing, finely crafted millwork, exposed board formed concrete walls, and stone floors throughout. Don't miss the opportunity to make this house your home.
6623 N Hillside Drive Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
$8,995,000
4
Beds
4.5
Baths
5,035
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6655861
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
VIEWS, VIEWS, VIEWS!! BRAND NEW CONSTRUCTION - ESTIMATED COMPLETION OCTOBER 2024. Located in prestigious Paradise Valley- a Modern showpiece, offering serene privacy and stunning views of Camelback Mountain. This paradise sits on over an acre with luxurious finishes and carefully curated design elements. After being greeted outside by a beautiful terraced entry, fire feature and custom metal screening- you are welcomed into the great room with 12-foot ceilings, a cantilevered fireplace and an impressive 25-foot pocket door. Custom cabinetry throughout the home, designer lighting, custom wood ceiling details and hand-picked stone selections showcase the elevated design. A generous chef's kitchen with Wolf/SubZero appliance suite is supported by the secondary kitchen- perfect for when you are hosting large events. The main kitchen looks out over the sitting room, living room, outdoors to the pool, spa, outdoor kitchen, bar and expansive covered patio space. Constructed using cast in place concrete - this complex build technique allows for minimal rooflines and maximum viewpoints out of all windows. The attention to detail from the land up is exquisite. This masterpiece home is not one to be missed... who doesn't want to own their own little piece of paradise?
5030 E Mockingbird Lane Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
$8,995,000
6
Beds
7
Baths
12,014
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6675327
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
TIMELESS 2-ACRE GATED ESTATE WITH GUESTHOUSE!! Private and SINGLE LEVEL, the main house is 10,340 sq. ft. with 4 bedrooms and a 6 car, air conditioned garage. The interior of the main home is adorned with stone décor and archways and a sunken bar with wine cellar that has 2 separate, individually cooled areas. The grand study has 2 tvs, a stone fireplace, floor to ceiling wood shelving and cabinetry, a wood décor ceiling as well as natural light. The glass, pocket doors in the main living area open the entire space for indoor/outdoor entertaining. The 1688 sq.ft. Guesthouse has 2 oversized bedrooms, a full kitchen, laundry room as well as it's own 2 car garage. At the Guesthouse, the seamless glass doors meet in the corner and completely open on two sides connecting the guesthouse to the backyard oasis. The luxury, resort style backyard is complete with 2 connected pools, where the play pool has a gazebo and swim up bar and is connected to the diving pool by a flowing lazy river complete with fire pits and Hurricane Palms as well as an island spa. An absolute oasis! This estate is extremely private yet conveniently located. Cullum Homes is extremely detailed and known for building high quality, luxury homes.
6434 E Gainsborough Road Scottsdale, AZ 85251
$8,995,000
5
Beds
7
Baths
6,771
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6704899
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Every so often a home is so special that it's hard to put into words. This is definitely that home. The beautiful combination of luxury and livability is mind blowing, as is the architecture and fresh modern design. From the time you enter you'll be struck by the attention to detail and the impeccable taste throughout every room. The kitchen is a master chef's dream featuring double islands plus a breakfast bar and every imaginable accoutrement, the living spaces are ultra-elegant yet super comfortable, the temperature-controlled wine cellar is exquisite, the custom office will make working from home the preference, and each bedroom has its own special character including a primary suite that is absolutely extraordinary with his and hers custom closets and a lavish yet serene bath. The special design elements are too numerous to list but some of the impressive finishes include pristine wood flooring, gorgeous designer lighting, exposed wood beams, sleek custom cabinetry, statement fireplaces in both living rooms, marble, quartz, and retractable walls of glass that open to the spectacular covered patio providing seamless indoor/outdoor living. The lush grounds are an outdoor paradise and feature a fabulous pool with a hidden slide, spa, pickle ball court, built-in trampoline, and putting green. The pool house has been turned into a golf simulator room, so if golf is your thing, this is your space. Sitting on nearly an acre in a private gated community in the heart of Arcadia Proper with stunning mountain views, it's very clear that family living doesn't get much better than this!
6836 N 36th Street Phoenix, AZ 85018
$8,950,000
3
Beds
3
Baths
3,095
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6507389
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
The ''Circular Sun House'' was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and was his final architectural design, and known as the Norman Lykes House. 3 beds + office + den + Library. Designed to blend in with the curves of the surrounding desert mountain, this iconic masterpiece was the last home designed by Wright and one of only 14 circular homes by the master architect. Overlapping concentric circles create a floorplan that flows seamlessly from one room to another while every room takes in unobstructed majestic views of Palm Canyon and the city below. Curved walls, clad in golden-hued Philippine mahogany cover the three bedrooms and hallway, reflecting the natural light of Palm Canyon. Sprawling entertaining spaces flow outside to ample patios and a crescent-shaped pool. In Architectural Digest! Three bedrooms PLUS library, plus den could be 4th bedroom and office that sits atop the home.
11612 N 86th Street Scottsdale, AZ 85260
$8,950,000
7
Beds
8
Baths
8,587
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6576591
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
Introducing the pinnacle of luxury, privacy and security: Elysium, designed and built by Modern Masterpieces. Offering soaring 14' ceilings, rooms carved from natural stone and wood, solid wood frameless pivot doors, electronic color changing smart glass sliding walls - this home redefines luxury living. Features three professional kitchens in the highest spec by Gaggenau and Thermador, a Dolby ATMOS 4K movie theater, and unprecedented amenities like a smart glass cube room, 4 exotic car museum garage, over 2,500sqf full tile pool, spa, firepit and swim-up restaurant, double RV parking, and glass basketball court. US military spec nuclear threat resistant security room with state of the art surveillance. Glass railing bridge lush garden entry secured by electronic gates ensures privacy
3285 N Mountain View Road Apache Junction, AZ 85119
$8,915,000
6
Beds
9
Baths
9,150
SqFt
Status
Active
MLS #
6687284
Property Type
Single Family Residence
Price Type
--
An opportunity like no other! 7 parcels spanning 24.18 acres with unlimited potential for luxury residential development or commercial transformation. Nestled against the breathtaking Superstition Mountain, this unparalleled sale features two captivating properties, each with awe-inspiring views. The residence on parcel 10001001H showcases over 11,000 SqF of meticulously crafted architecture, boasting a custom design and premium amenities. Highlights include a state-of-the-art kitchen worthy of a magazine cover, rooftop patios, pool, and space for recreational vehicles. Meanwhile, parcel 10001001J contains a total of 12,000 SqFt feet of construction, comprising the main dwelling, a charming casita, 7488 sqft in garage space,